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Sunday, 26 January 2014

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway - Spurs & Stilettos by Ashley Johnson

Hope Trahan has everything she wants and everyone she needs…except her sister and someone who really is deserving of her. Who knew two separate events would turn everything completely upside down? When her best friend drags her down to the rodeo to help clear her head the last thing she expects is to meet a sexy, sweet talking cowboy. That’s not what she came for but fate had other things in mind.

Wesley Tyler owns two national titles and is riding his way to the next. The day he meets Hope, he knows there’s no going back. He soon learns Hope carries ghosts with her she can’t quite shake. She holds things she wishes she could let go of. Wesley just may hold the key to helping her overcome it all. Can he win her over and help mend her broken walls or will her past hold her down?

REVIEW

My Rating = 3.75 stars

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my review

This was a sweet and quick paced read for me and made all
the better for the sweet and sexy cowboy it gave me - Wesley.

Wesley is a circuit rodeo rider and a two times belt winning
champion. When he is at a rodeo looking to retain his title he comes across the
beauty at the food stand and he is instantly hooked.

"nice to meet you Hope. I won't bite, I swear. I may nibble and that's it"

Hope has been dragged to the rodeo by her best friend Amber.
The rodeo is a place that has tragic memories for her due to her sister being
killed in a car accident on their way back from one over two years ago. She is
also dealing with the shock of finding her fiancé Brad, cheating on her in the
most drastic of circumstances. However Hope is a survivor so she pushes herself
to meet challenges head on, hence her being at the rodeo that day and coming
face to face with the gorgeous Wesley.

Overall I really liked this storyline and the way Wesley pursued
Hope, even though at times she was a little hard to connect with. But I suppose
with what she has gone through at such a young age it was understandable she
would be hesitant and naïve. There were parts I found a little hard to
understand, for instance, her finding out who was the saviour at the accident
that killed her sister but saved her. Really? Even her parents didn’t know the
name of the person? Wouldn’t they have found out every little piece of
information and who was involved that night? So yes that was frustrating and the
coincidence ginormous!

Also as much as I adored Wesley he really took the biscuit with
his decision after his recovery and he finds out about Hope. After all he went
through he was willing to be apart? Enter swear words here!

For me the story grew stronger in the last third of the book
and kept me hooked to find out the ending, which was lovely.

So yes there was frustration, angst and annoying parts but
these were balanced with a gorgeous romance, family reuniting and an even more
gorgeous cowboy. What was not to like about that?

I’m a bundle of nerves as I step out into the night air. It’s hard to not see him. He’s leaning against his truck. His back is to me and I almost don’t think he knows I am coming until he turns around to face me. My heart drops in my chest as I look into his eyes. We say nothing for a minute. We’re taking this time to rememorize each other, this time without the loud music and bright lights of the club. His hand reaches up and brushes against my cheek. I shudder trying to control myself. I missed his touch so much. I close my eyes praying this isn’t some dream but I open them and he’s here with his hand still on my cheek. “I miss you Hope.” He whispers. I won’t cry. I’m telling myself that. I’ll kick my own ass if I cry. I won’t be weak. “I miss you too,” I whisper almost inaudibly. We go back to not speaking. I can’t believe I’m standing outside in front of him. In front of the man who completely melts my heart. “Can you forgive me?” He leans in closing his mouth over mine and takes charge blowing my mind. I kiss him fiercely. “I can’t think of you being anyone else’s but mine Hope.” He says between kisses.

My name is Ashley Johnson and I live in Lake Charles, La with my fiance and our daughter. I graduated high school in 2003 and graduated college in 2008 with an associates degree in Criminal Justice. Now I just love to read and write and I hope ya'll enjoy it.